OREANDA-NEWS. In February 2016 compared with January 2016, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 0.2% in the euro area (EA19) and fell by 0.1% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January retail trade rose by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU28.

In February 2016 compared with February 2015 the calendar adjusted retail sales index rose by 2.4% in the euro area and by 3.0% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.2% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in February 2016, compared with January 2016, is due to a rise of 0.5% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while both non-food products and automotive fuel decreased by 0.2%. In the EU28, the 0.1% decrease in the volume of retail trade is due to decreases of 0.4% for automotive fuel and of 0.3% for non-food products, while “Food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.2%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in total retail trade were registered in Luxembourg (+4.9%) and Portugal (+2.7%), while the largest decreases were observed in Poland (-2.9%) and Estonia (-2.2%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 2.4% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in February 2016, compared with February 2015, is due to rises of 2.9% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 1.7% for non-food products, while automotive fuel fell by 0.5%. In the EU28, the 3.0% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 3.2% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, of 2.8% for non-food products, while automotive fuel remained stable.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in total retail trade were observed in Romania (+19.3%) and Luxembourg (+18.3%), while decreases were observed in Belgium (-2.4%), Slovenia (-1.4%) and Denmark (-1.0%).